Changeable propelling pencil



All@ 23, 1949 w. GERMANN CHANGEABLE PROPELLING' PENIL Filed De. 9, 1947Patented Aug. 23, 1949 CHANGEABLE PROPELLING PENCIL Werner Germann,Zurich, Switzerland, assignor to Fabrique Suisse De Crayons Garan -DAcheS. A., Geneva, Switzerland, a corporation of Switzerland ApplicationDecember 9, 1947, Serial No. 790,5'072 In Switzerland January 17, 1946Section 1, Public Law 690, August 8, 1946 Patent expires January 17,1966 12 Claims. 1

The present invention relates to an improved changeable propellingpencil of the kind comprising a housing having a tapered end providedwith a seating element having a, tapered bore through which acontractible chuck protrudes, which chuck has a tapered partco-operating with said tapered bore under the action of :a spring inorder to eiect contraction of the Jsaid chuck for gripping a lead.

The present invention has for its object to 'provide an improvedchangeable propelling pencil of this kind in which the selection of aparticular lead may be effected by the action of gravity on turning thepencil about its axis, and

whereby the projection of the selected lead also may be effected by theaction of gravity in a simple and effective manner.

According to the present invention, in a changeable propelling pencil ofthe kind referred to, the contractible chuck is xed to one end of a leadchamber slidably disposed in the housing, the other end of the saidchamber being closed and protruding from the housing at the end thereofopposite to the tapered end, the said lead chamber containing aplurality of separate lead containers in each of which a lead holder isfreely slidable, the arrangement being such that by turning the pencilabout its axis when held substantially horizontal, one lead containermoves by gravity into a position co-axial with the contractible chuckfor the projection of a lead thereinto.

According to a further feature of the invention, the spring acting uponthe contractible chuck acts to draw the same into the said seatingelement and to maintain the opposite end of the lead chamber projectedbeyond the end of the housing so that by pressing the projecting end ofthe lead chamber axially with respect to the housing, the chuck may becaused to open to receive a lead under the action of gravity when thepencil is tilted with the point downwards.

In one arrangement the lead chamber may comprise symmetrically arrangedcompartments for the reception of individually movable lead containers.These compartments may be constituted by radially disposedlongitudinallyextending slots in the lead chamber. Alternatively, the lead chamber maycomprise a tube having radially extending hollow ribs adapted to providecompartments for the reception of the lead containers.

In a modification, the lead containers may be positioned in a tubularelement which is laterally movable within a space in-the lead chamberunder the action of gravity so that any one of the lead containers maybe positioned co-axial with the contractible chuck by turning the pencilabout its axis. Thus, four lead containers in square formation may bepositioned in a square tube freely .movable in the lateral directionwithin a hollow space in the lead chamber of square but largercross-sectional shape, the arrangement being such that when two adjacentsides of the square tube are in contact with two adjacent walls of thesaid hollow space, one of the lead containers is positioned co-axialwith the contractible chuck.

Each lead holder may have a slot in the side of the bore therein for thereception of the lead, which slot extends beyond the end of the saidbore to facilitate the removal of the butt end of the used lead. Thehousing may have distinguishing markings on the outside to indicate thenumber of lead containersin the chamber and the particular leadcontainer which is positioned co-axial with the contractible chuck.

The invention is hereinafter described, by way of example, withreference to the accompanyin diagrammatic drawing, in which: o

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section illustrating one embodiment of theimproved pencil,V according to the invention, Aal1 the leads beingdisposed in the interior of the lead chamber;

Fig. 2 is a partllongltudinal section similar to Fig. 1, showing onelead vxed in the contractible chuck;

Fig. 3 is a cross-section on a larger scale taken on the line III-III ofFig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a cross-section similar to Fig. 3, illustrating amodification; and

Fig. 5 is a cross-section illustrating a further modification.

Referring to the accompanying diagrammatic drawing, the improvedchangeable propelling pencil comprises a housing I 'which has a taperedpart I at one end fitted with a seating element 2 having a tapered bore.A contractible chuck 6 of known construction having multiple jawsprotrudes from the seating element 2 and is formed with a tapered partadapted to co-operate with a tapered-bore'in the element 2, so thatunder the influence of a spring I the chuck jaws are caused to contract.Y

The chuck 6 is provided at its rear end with a tubular threaded part 6'which screws into the end 5 of a lead chamber 3 slidably arranged in theinterior of the housing I, and the spring 'i is arranged within thehousing I between the element 2 and the endl-5 of the chamber 3. The

above operates asfollows:

inder 9 which has at one end an axial. bore l!)y to receive the end of alead l I. VjAt'fits otlflerend the cylinder 9 has a head SitheadiameterAoffwhich substantially coincides with the internal diameter of the leadcontainer Beso asvtoguide the lead holder. The wall oftlie 'bore' l0 hasa longitudinal slot Ill which is prolonged'beyond the end of the bore,as shownlnFig. 1.

As shown in Fig. 3, the lead chambermay comprise compartments 4 adaptedfor thereception of one lead container 8 each, the" compartments 4 beingformed by radial slots which extend longitudinallyfi inf*'thewa'll`= ofthe lead chamber.

These slots"are'iarrangedfsymmetrically in star fashionaroiiidftlilax'isof the lead chamber.

In the"modicationillustrated in-Fig. 4, the symmetrical radially"ara'ged" compartments '4 are formedby'constructing'the lead chamber inthe form v"of a-'tibe wh'chin crosssection presentsthree ribs'arragedinstar fashion to form 'the compartments.

The 'changcable'`f propelling pencil described In theid1epositionfia1thespring 1 tends to cause the knob 3' of theilead chamber to protrudefron the "housing [Pfand draws the chuck 6 into the tapedboreintheseating element "2; so' that the chuck sis-'contracted and obstructsprotrusion kof a llead-' l.

In order ytoselecia lead for`projection through the chuck'V 6,thehousing il, while held with its axis substantially horizontalfisturned about its axis toY a suitable position, "whereupon one leadcontainer moves under' the vinfluence of gravity liuto a positioninwhichit isT co-axial with the chuck 6. Thereupon, the point'i'sinclineddownwards and inorder to ois'et the action of the f spring1,.the knob.3f lslpr'essedso that the chuck `iaws 'can Yopen vto .permit thel'ead`vwhich is coaxial'the'rewithftoeslide out of its container and .the tworemaining. containers which have remained in their respectivecompartments, as

, shown in Figs. liandfl,v will; be disposed automatically in aposition,co,a xial A with the chuck 6. The lead containers which haveremained-in their respective compartments lrevst onthe inner wall of thehousing, .as shown in 3, or onthe partsV whichV formv the bottomsof therespective compartmenta; as in Fig. 4.

The interior ofthehonsing;*ispreferably not of. a completely circularcross-section, and the cross-section ofthe lead; chamber correspondswith that of the interior;of the housing in such manner as tomaintainl'automatically a fix-ed angular relationthereb'etween.

Each lead containerzl has at its frontend a stop device which preventsthe exit of the `lead piece 9'- fromftheleadjcontain'er.. theernbodimentshown; thisstop'I-is formed by an in- '4 ternal flange 8' atthe end of the lead container 3, which allows 'the cylindrical |part ofthe lead holder f9 to pass, but retains the head .piece 9. Th'echuck16,`when open, hasia suiciently large opening to permit of thepassage of the cylindrical part 9 of the lead holder, the length ofwhich is such that the end of the bore lll is approximately level withthe front end of the chuck 6 whenrthe head piece 9' abuts the iiange 8at the end of the lead. container 8. Therefore, when a lead Ilghas beenused up, the lead end can be removed fromthe bore lll by theintroduction of a pointed tool into the slot l0' for pressing the leadout'of thef'bore. This arrangement therefore enables a used lead to besubstituted without dis- "rnantling the? pencil.

In order to cause a lead which is in the chuck 65 to return into itscontainer, the pencil is held with the point upwards and the knob 3simultaneously pressed toropen the chuck 6.

In the modification shown in vFig. v5, fthe changeable i propellingpencil has the same components and elements' as" describedwithreference'to house a square tube 'I3-which encloses'and positions four fle'ad:containers 3 arranged-in eter ofthe lead containers'V andthe wallthickness of the "tube I3Y arey such that, when-two adjacent sides ofthe latter are in contact with two adjacent sides Aof the hollowspace,fone of the lead containers/is-disposed co-axial with. the chuck6.

The improved changeable propelling pencil-according tothe invention hasseveral important advantages as compared with known propelling pencils.

Aboveall, it does not have Yany ldevices for operating/the leadholderfwhich consist-generally Hof a knob which slides-in a slot alongthe housing, through which slot dust can enter the housing and impairthe proper working of the mechanism. Furthermore, the pencil cannot'begdamaged bywrongv handling of '-.mechanism- Furthermore, as thecontractible chuck ist rigidly fixed to the lead chamber; the lead isheld strongly and rigidly: and, as each lead isaccommodated ina separatecontainenitis to alarga extent protected against breakage, if thepencil' is Furthermoreaszthelead is contained'in a lead Y container [l`andpitsrrear end is fixed in aV lead formed by the axis oftheqhousingtothefver'tical holder, the unitconsisting of the lead container, leadholder and` lead has a considerable' Weight, which is manyvtimestheweight of alead.- The selection of a particularleadistherefore'readily accomplished, when the axis ofthe housing isapproximately atanfangle'of 40from the'vertical, a positive sliding.`of'fthes'elected lead being'assured, even when the `leadis Ialmostcompletely used up, duetofthefweight of the leadll'iolderv 9 to which itVisdaffixe'd.l Obviusy, the selection is effected withlgreatercertaintythe more vthe'angle approaches 90. The device'described permits ofanautomatica',and` absolutely reliable selection of leadsofthe-jsmallestcalibre, whichisanimportant advantage.

As shown in ther drawing, distinguishing. marks4 lf2 canV be applied to=the housing; I. to indicate the number oi theleadsl containedv thechamber and the colour and. hardne'ssfof the lead vwhichv is co-axialwith the chuck 6.

It will be understand that; the invention is not limited totheparticular embodiments described'. For example, in a further'modicationthe lead chamber 3 may comprise only two radial conrpartments4. These can be arranged diametrically or in' radial' planes at an angleto each other.

IV claim: Y .Y

1. A. changeable propelling pencil comprising a housing having a taperedend,- a seating' element fitted to said tapered end and having a taperedbore, a contractible chuck devi-ee having a flared, part cao-operatingwith. said tapered bore, a spring acting toV engagek said aredipartinsai'd tapered bore to effectcontraction. of the chuck, a leadcham-ber sldable axially' iI-'i the said' housing and having one endpart connected. to-said chuck and an opposite closed end part projectingbeyond the respective end of ther s'aid housing to enable the saidchamber and the said chuck to be moved axially against the action of thespring to eiect opening of the said chuck, and a plurality of leadcontainers movabley laterally in said chamber by the action of gravityon turning the said housing about its axis to position a selected leadcontainer co-axial with the said chuck, and in each of said containersa` lead holder provided With means for engaging ale'ad end freelylslidable axially in the said container.

2'. A changeable propelling pencil comprising a housing having ataperedend, a seating element tted to said tapered end and Yhaving' atapered bore, a contractible chuck device having a ilared partco-operati'ng withsa-d tapered bore', a spring acting to engage saidaredpart in said tapered bore to effect contraction of the chuck, a leadchamber slidable axially in the said housing and having one end partconnected to said chuck and an opposite closed end part projectingbeyond the respective end of the said housing to enable the said chamberand the said chuck to be moved axially against the action of the springto eiect opening of the said chuck,an`d a plurality of sep'- arate leadcontainers positioned in compartments in said chamber and independentlymovable laterally by the action of gravity on turning the said housingabout' its axis to position a selected leadl container co-axial with thesaid chuck, and in each of said containers a lead holder provided withmeans for engaging. a lead andffreel-y slid able axially in thesaid'container.

3. A changeable propelling pencil comprisinga housing having a.. taperedend, a seating element ttedto said tapered end andl having a taperedbore, a contractible chuckfdevice having a ared part co-operatingWith-.said tapered bore., a spring acting to engage said flared part insaidtapered bore to eiect contraction of the chuck, la lead chamberslidable axially in the said housing and having` one end part connectedto said chuck, an opposite closed end part protecting. beyond therespective end of the said housing toy enable the said chamber and. thesaid, chuck to bez 'moved axially against the action of. the spring toeiiect opening of the said chuck.. and a'plurality of compartmentssymmetrically arrangedabout the axis thereof, a lead container in 'each'of said oomparti-nents, said containers being independently movablelaterally by the action oi. gravity' on turning the said housing aboutlits Aaxis tdpOS- 6 tion a selected lead container cit-axial with thesaid chuck, and in each of said containers a lead" holder provided withmeans for engaging aV lead and freely slidable axially in the saidcontainer.

fl. A changeable propelling pencil comprisingv a housing having atapered end, a seatingv element fitted to said tapered end and having aJtapered bore, a contractibleI chuck device having a flared partco-operating With said tapered bore,

. a spring acting to engage said ared part in said tapered bore to electcontraction of the chuck, a lead chamber slidable axially' in the saidhous-k ing and having one end part connected tov said chuck, an oppositeclosed end partl projecting beyond the respective end of the saidhousing tocnable the said chamber and the said chuck to`v be movedaxially against the action of the spring to effect `opening of the saidchuck, 'and longituev dinally extending radial slots forming communi'-cating compartments, and a plurality of lead containers positioned insaid compartments in said chamber and independently movable laterally bythe action of gravity on turning the said housing about its axis toposition a selected lead con'- tainer co-axial with the said chuck, andineach of said containers a lead holder provided with means for engaginga lead and freely slidable axially in the said container.

5. A changeable propelling pencil comprising a housing having a taperedend,'a seating ele ment fitted to said tapered end and having a taperedbore, a contractible* chuck device having' a ila-red part co-operatingwith said tapered. bore, a spring acting to engage said flared part'said tapered bore to effect contraction fof the chuck, a lead chamberslidable axially in the saidk housing and having one end part connectedto'.v said chuck, an opposite closed end part projecting beyond therespective end of the said housing to enable the said chamber vand thechuck to be moved axially against the action of,

the spring to effect opening of the said chuck and a longitudinallyribbedtube between the said end parts forming radial compartments, and aplurality of lead containerspositioned in .said compartments in saidchamber and independently movable laterally by the action of gravity" onturning the said housing about its axis' to position a selected leadcontainer co-axialwith the said chuck, and in eachv of said containers alead holder provided with: means for engaging a lead and freely slidableaxially in the said cone tainer.

6. A changeable propelling pencil comprising a' housing having a taperedend, a seating element fitted to said tapered end and having a taperedbore, a contractible chuck device having a ii'aredA part cri-operatingWith said tapered bore, a spring vacting to engage said flared part insaid tapered bore to e'ect contraction of the chu-ck, a lead chamberslidable axially in the said house ing and having one end part connectedto said chuck and an opposite closed end part projecting beyond therespective end of the Asaidhousing to enable the said chamber and thesaid chuck to be moved axially against the action of the spring toeffect opening of the said chuck, said lead chamber and said housingbeing shaped in cross"- section to maintain a denite angular relationtherebetween, and a plurality of lead containersA movable laterally insaid chamber lby theraction, of gravity on turning the said'housingabout its' axis to position a selected lead container caxialf with thesaid chuck, and in each of lsaid conf taine'rs a lead holder' providedwith ineens fer' engaging a lead and freely slidable axially in the saidcontainer.

7. A changeable propelling pencil comprising a housing having a taperedend, a seating element fitted to said tapered end and having a taperedbore, a contractible chuck device having a flared part co-operating withsaid tapered bore, a spring acting to engage said flared part in saidtapered bore to eifect contraction of the chuck, a lead chamber slidableaxially in the said housing and having one end part connected to saidchuck, an opposite closed end part projecting beyond the respective endof the said housing to enable the said chamber and the said chuck to bemoved axially against the action of the spring to effect opening of theSaid chuck, and longitudinally extending radial compartments, said leadchamber and said housing being shaped in cross-section to maintain adefinite angular relation therebetween, and a plurality of leadcontainers positioned in said compartments in said chamber andindependently movable laterally by the action of gravity on turning thesaid housing about its axis to position a selected lead containerco-axial with the said chuck and in each of said containers a leadholder provided with means for engaging a lead and freely slidableaxially in the said container.

8. A changeable propelling pencil comprising a housing having a taperedend, a seating element tted to said tapered end and having a taperedbore, a contractible chuck device having a flared part co-operating withsaid tapered bore, a spring acting to engage said flared part in saidtapered bore to effect contraction of the chuck, a lead chamber slidableaxially in the said housing and having one end part connected to saidchuck and an opposite closed end part projecting beyond the respectiveend of the said housing to enable the said chamber and the said chuck tobe moved axially against the action of the spring to effect opening ofthe said chuck, and a plurality of lead containers mounted in a tubularcasing movable laterally in said chamber by the action of gravity onturning the said housing about its axis to position a selected leadcontainer co-axial with the said chuck and in each of said containers alead holder provided with means for engaging a lead land freely slidableaxially in the said container.

9. A changeable propelling pencil comprising a housing having a borewith two opposite parallel side walls and a tapered end, a seatingelement fitted to said tapered end and having a tapered bore, acontractible chuck device having a ilared part co-operating with saidtapered bore, a spring acting to engage said flared part in said taperedbore to effect contraction of the chuck, a lead chamber slidable axiallyin the said housing and comprising two opposite parallel side Wallsextending between end parts, one end part being connected to said chuckand an opposite closed end part projecting beyond the respective end ofsaid housing to enable the said chamber and the said chuck to be movedaxially against the action of the spring to effect opening of the saidchuck, said parallel side walls of said chamber being at right angles tothe parallel side walls of said bore in said housing to provide a hollowspace of square cross-section, and four tubular lead containers mountedin a casing of square cross-section, said casing being movable laterallyin said housing by the action of gravity on turning the said housingabout its axis to bring any two adjacent Walls of said casing intocontact with two adjacent walls of said hollow Space and thereby l8to'position a selected lead container co-axial with the said chuck andin each of said containers a lead holder provided with means forengaging a lead and freely slidable axially in the said container orsquare tube.

10. A changeable propelling pencil comprising a housing having a taperedend, a seating eledr ment tted to said tapered end and having a taperedbore, a contractible chuck device having a flared part co-operating withsaid tapered bore, a spring acting to engage said ared part in saidtapered bore to eiTect contraction of the chuck, a lead chamber slidableaxially in the said housing and having one end part connected to saidchuck and an opposite closed end part projecting beyond the respectiveend of the said housing to enable the said chamber and the said chuck tobe moved axially against the action of the spring to elect opening ofthesaid chuck, and a plurality of tubular lead containers movablelaterally in said housing by the action of gravity on turning the saidhousing about its axis to position a selected lead container co-axialwith the said chuck, each of said tubular containers having an inturnedflange at the end adjacent the said chuck, and a lead'holder in each ofsaid containers provided with means for engaging a lead and freelyslidable axially in the said container, said lead holder having a headengageable with said inturned flange to retain said lead holder in itsrespective container.

1l. A changeable propelling pencil comprising a housing having a taperedend, a seating element fitted to said tapered end and having a taperedbore, a contractible chuck device having a ared part co-operating withsaid tapered bore, a spring acting to engage said flared part in saidtapered bore to elect contraction of the chuck, a lead chamber slidableaxially in the said housing `and having one end part connected to saidchuck and an opposite closed end part projecting beyond therespectiveend of the said housing to enable the said chamber and thesaid chuck to be moved axially against the action of the spring toeffect opening of the said chuck, and a lplurality of lead containersmovable laterally in said housing by the action of gravity on turningthe said housing about its axis to position a selected lead containerco-axial with the said chuck, and in each of said containers a leadholder freely slidable axially in the said container and provided atoneend with a bore for receiving a lead, a slot in the wall of said boreextending beyond the end of said bore, land at the other end with a headfor guiding and retaining said holder in its container, said holderbeing of a length to be capable of extending through the chuck with saidslot exposed beyond said chuck.

12. A changeable propelling pencil comprising a housing having a taperedend, a seating element tted to said tapered end and having a taperedbore, a contractible chuck device having a ared part co-operating withsaid tapered bore, a spring acting to engage said ared part in saidtapered bore toveect contraction of the chuck, a lead chamber slidableaxially in the said housing and having one end part connected to saidchuck and an opposite closed end partprojecting beyond the respectiveend of the said housing to enable the said chamber and the said chuck tobe moved axially against the action of the spring to effect opening ofthe said chuck, and a plurality of lead containers movable laterally insaid housing bythe action of gravity on turning the said housing aboutits axis to position a selected lead container co-axial with the saidchuck, a lead holder in each of said containers, said lead holderREFERENCES CITED being provided with means for engaging a lead Thefollowing references are of record in the and being freely slidableaxially in the said confile of this patent:

tailler, and means on the exterior of said housing for indicating thenumber of lead containers and UNITED STATES PATENTS the particular leadpositioned co-axial with the Number Name Dlate said chuck. 2,219,769Dorfman Oct. 29, 1940 WERNER GERMANN.

